Spartans cornerback Chris L. Rucker hopes slump is behind him

AP File PhotoMichigan State's Brandon Denson, left, Chris L. Rucker, center, and Marcus Hyde celebrate after Rucker intercepted a Michigan pass in the end zone during overtime.EAST LANSING -- When Spartans cornerback Chris L. Rucker reflects on the decisive overtime period in the Michigan-Michigan State game, he fixates on one play, obviously.

True freshman running back Larry Caper runs right and, after breaking two tackles, eludes a third Wolverines defender en route to the game-winning touchdown in the 26-20 victory.

"It was a great run," said Rucker, a junior, who had a chance to call his own number when asked but didn't. "I'm sitting on the sideline and I'm like, 'OK, OK, OK, we're going for the field goal.' But no. Then he broke the tackle, so I'm like, 'Wow.'

"When he went into the end zone, my body just went into shock and I ran out on the field and just dove on the pile. That was very exciting."

Three downs earlier, however, there was a play of nearly equal excitement and significance that will be inextricably linked to Caper's run forever.

On third-and-5 at the Michigan State 8-yard line, Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier passed into the end zone for what he hoped would be the go-ahead score. But MSU safety Danny Fortener deflected the ball and Rucker lunged to intercept it while falling to the ground.

The fourth pickoff of Rucker's career might prove to be even more significant in restoring his status as one of the Big Ten's top cornerbacks, as MSU defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi insists he is.

Rucker took considerable heat for failing to make plays on deep passes in the first three games. The low point came at Notre Dame when he was all alone under Fighting Irish quarterback Jimmy Clausen's overthrown pass but dropped what might have been a victory-clinching interception.

Instead, the Spartans lost, 33-30.

Rucker didn't start the next game at Wisconsin, a 38-30 loss, but was back on the field for Michigan's first offensive play.

He is counting on the restorative powers of the goat-to-hero conversion.

"That was a big play I missed," Rucker said of the drop at Notre Dame. "I feel I kind of made up for it with that interception (against Michigan)."

True to the mental make-up a defensive back must have to play on an island, Rucker claims to have a selective memory."

"As a DB, you've got to forget the last play and play for the next play," Rucker said. "You can't let things stick around, because if you let it be in the back of your head, you'll think about it the whole game and that will affect your play.

"I was able to forget about it. My family and my teammates were with me and kept me up. They told me to not let anything get me down. That last game helped me a lot. It got my confidence up, and it's got the whole secondary's confidence up."

Rucker will get a chance to improve his reputation even more in Saturday's game at Illinois (noon, Big Ten Network.). The Fighting Illini boast Biletnikoff Award candidate Arrelious Benn at wide receiver.

Benn has only 10 catches for 138 yards and no touchdowns and isn't ranked among the top 10 receivers in the league. However, Illionios will try to jump-start its paltry passing attack by benching senior quarterback Juice Williams and starting junior Eddie McGee.

"(Benn) is one of the best in the country and it's going to be a big challenge, but the secondary is going to really be ready to take on the challenge," Rucker said.

Michigan State wideout Blair White knows how much trouble the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Rucker can cause for Benn.

"He's a big guy, but he can still move," White said. "His jam technique off the ball, as far as slowing the receiver down, is superb, and he's a very good tackler."

"He's been a guy who's started here since he was a freshman," Dantonio said. "He's an outstanding football player, but other (teams) have guys who make plays, too.

"You've got to play the ball and cut them off on the deep throws, and a couple times this season he's been hurt on those things. Confidence is a very fragile thing, but he had an excellent football game and this should propel him forward."